Fic: Return [10/?]
Title: Return [10/?]
Fandom: Tron: Legacy
Characters/Pairing: Sam/Tron (eventually), Zuse, Gem, OCs (Roznal, Kex)
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters/world/etc. I'm just borrowing them.
Summary: Sam needs to release excess energy, head to the portal, Alan looks for Sam in the old arcade.
First time writing circuitry fondling. You've been warned. For both reasons.
Chapter 10
Return
“Sam!”
He couldn't see anything, but he could hear something-
“SAM!”
Louder. Familiar. Like a dream he couldn't quite remember, couldn't quite put his finger on.
“Sam, can you hear me?”
His eyes shot open, sitting up suddenly, and somehow he forgot how to breathe.
There were hands immediately on his shoulders, trying to push him back down, but he didn't want to go back down, back into the dark, back into the silence. It was like an abyss he couldn't get out of, couldn't walk, couldn't run, jump, swim, nothing could make him move there. All he could do was be still, and for some reason his father's voice found its way into his head.
“You're messing with my Zen thing, man.”
“You're messing with my Zen thing,” his mouth let out, seemingly of its own accord, the hands on his shoulders pausing, tightening their grip, and finally he remembered how to breathe, hell, how to blink for that matter. He glanced over to his left, a strangely familiar face coming into view. “Tron..” he said quietly, distantly, blinking back at the program's intense but somehow blank stare, “Did I..just say that out loud?” Sam's expression turned a little confused, a little embarrassed, disbelieving. And he wasn't sure why, but Tron just smiled after a moment.
For some reason, Sam forgot how to breathe again.
Before he knew it, the program was pulling him close, arms wrapping around the back of his shoulders, holding him just a little too tight than was humanly possible. “Tron..?” he asked after a moment, face heating up, “Is something wrong?”
“You're alright,” he heard quietly next to his ear, expression turning confused as he tried to remember why he wouldn't be alright.
“Yeah, why wouldn't I-” he started, but cut off as the memories came rushing back, filling in some of the gaps. Sam reached up after a moment, gripping the programs' upper arms and trying to force him back a little, expression urgent. “What happened to Zuse and Gem?”
Tron didn't seem to want to put any distance between them, but he did, reluctantly sitting back after a moment and shifting his hands to rest back on the Users' shoulders, unsure if he should actually be sitting up on his own so soon. “Roznal and Kex derezzed Zuse with Gem's aid. Kex turned on Gem and ended up getting derezzed by her in the process,” Tron answered, “She gave me the fragment, which I merged with your disc. You weren't moving, Sam, your circuits were completely off. I couldn't..” he trailed off, eyes finding their way to the ground, “..but it worked,” he finished, eyes eventually shifting over to the Siren off to his right.
Sam followed his line of sight after a moment, glancing at the program in white before his eyes returned to Tron, trying to absorb his words.
Then the pain hit.
Sam winced sharply before he could say anything, turning in on himself as a hand released the program, wrapping around his waist futilely, drawing his knees a little towards his chest as he hunched over, head hanging. “Ahhhn-” he let out, voice strained, the hand still on Tron gripping his arm tightly.
“Sam-” Tron said almost immediately, worry flooding his face and filling his voice, moving closer to the User and gripping his shoulders firmly, “What is it?”
“..Shar..sharp pain..Augh- I feel like I got hit in the stomach with a wrecking ball-” he struggled to get out.
Gem returned to her previous position at Tron's side then, kneeling down close to the two. “Energy build up,” she said calmly after a moment, “The Creator's disc has more energy than his system is currently capable of holding.” She moved after a moment, shifting to kneel down behind Sam, reaching up shortly to the top of his shoulder blades, pressing her fingertips to his overheated and bright circuits, sliding them firmly down to his lower back, Tron's eyes watching her intently.
Sam jerked, head lifting a bit as he let out a strangled sound at the sudden, overwhelming wave of pleasure rippling through his circuits, face flushing lightly. One of his legs shifted to the ground, his hand still gripping the security program's arm tightly. What-what the hell.. he tried to think, which was becoming increasingly hard.
Tron sat up quickly, a hand releasing one of Sam's shoulders and darting over to the Siren, grabbing one of her wrists firmly. “What are you doing?” he demanded, watching the female program intently.
“This is the quickest possible way to release the extra energy,” Gem replied calmly, “he cannot contain it and we are running out of time. Would you rather do it?” she finished, angling her head up slightly at the other program.
Tron's face lit up, eyes widening before darting down to the side at the question, then finally making their way back up to Sam's face, brow drawing together. He released the Siren's wrist after a moment, also releasing the User's other shoulder before prying Sam's grip from his arm, the Siren moving out of the way as Tron shifted into position behind him. “I'm sorry,” he said a little quietly next to his ear, hands moving down to the User's sides and gripping firmly, pulling him up and back gently so that Sam's back is resting against his front, sitting back on his knees to support his weight.
“What are..” Sam tried, unable to form a full sentence. His mind was foggy, fuzzy at the edges with the excess energy and brief moment of pleasure, and his body just felt too hot, like he had a fever. His circuits were glowing too bright, at least that much he knew.
Tron wrapped an arm around the User, just below his chest, tensing his body a bit to brace for sudden movements before he reached down with a hand, hesitating for a moment before pressing a couple fingertips to the circular circuitry near Sam's hip, tracing over it firmly but slowly, Sam's circuits flaring in response.
The User jerked at the wave of pleasure that shot up through him at the touch, letting out a heavy gasp while shifting his other leg down to sit up onto his knees, back arching, trying to press up further into the touch. The back of his head moved up slightly to rest on Tron's shoulder, leaning it back. One of his arms moved up on the same side as the one the program had wrapped around him, gripping the back of his hand in his own while his free hand found its way to Tron's thigh, needing to grip something, fingers straining over the rough, black material of the program's suit. “What are you..what is-” he tried to get out between panting breaths, nails dragging against Tron's suit, other fingertips running over the circuits on his hand firmly.
Tron let out a low gasp of his own next to Sam's ear as his circuits briefly flared, a wave of pleasure shooting through his own body at the touch, closing his mouth firmly for a moment as he pressed his fingertips to one of the long lines of circuitry running down the side of the front of the Users' suit, tracing the length of it up from his hip to just below his collarbone, earning him another, louder moan from the subject of his attention and another increase in the glow of the white lights on Sam's suit. “Trying to release..your excess energy. There's too much-” he was cut off, Sam's hand pixelating the part of the suit beneath his touch, revealing violet circuitry laced over his thigh, the Users' fingertips and dull fingernails raking over it, the circuits glowing at the stimulation and sending a stronger wave of energy through the circuitry under his suit. Tron let out a low moan of his own near Sam's ear, grip tightening around him reflexively.
Sam almost couldn't stand it anymore, the energy was building up so quickly, everything was so hot, his own body, the one behind him that was supporting his own, the circuits underneath his hand and his fingers, his own circuits. It was all becoming too much, and he felt like he was about to overload-
Tron's fingers dragged firmly up the line of circuitry in the middle of his chest, and Sam's back went sharply taut, and he finally did overload, letting out a loud moan near the program's ear as he gripped Tron's thigh, his circuits flaring in a blinding white light, taking his mind with it.
He wasn't even aware that he called out Tron's name.
The released energy shot straight through him where Sam's hand was tightly gripped on his thigh, running through the violet circuitry beneath his suit and overloading his own circuits. Tron let out a moan of his own next to Sam's ear in the form of the Users' name, returning the call while gripping him tightly as his own circuits flared brightly, bound to leave bruises after the ordeal, his thoughts whiting out with the intense energy release.
_________________________________________________
They stayed still for the longest time, Sam's back finally relaxing out of its strained position, resting back limply against the program behind him who was hunched over slightly, formed perfectly to the bow of Sam's exhausted body, their circuits seeming to pulsate in a unison rhythm until gradually evening out into a steady, calm glow.
All Sam could hear for the longest time were breaths, his own drowned out by the blood rushing in his ears, Tron's breathing next to his ear, and for a while he didn't seem to mind. Couldn't bring himself to do anything but listen, soak it in, even find it increasingly relaxing. He couldn't move immediately anyway, even if he wanted to.
The new, intricate white designs were revealed on his suit, on his skin, matching the new ones on his disc and splayed out for the program to see. Beautiful..he couldn't help thinking, half lidded blue-gray eyes tracing over the patterns idly as he held the User in his arms, grip lessened but still firmly in place. And they were beautiful, but he found he couldn't stop staring at the ones on Sam's face, imprinted up and over his closed eyelids, running into his hairline and lined down across the side of his face, trailing down his neck and disappearing into the top of his suit. He'd never seen anything like it, was sure he never would again.
“You two sure are a sight to see,” came a familiar voice, one they'd both forgotten was even in the room.
Tron didn't have to look to know that she had an amused smirk quirking up the corner of her lips.
Sam didn't move, but his eyelids finally started to open, eyes glancing over at the Siren half lidded, giving her a tiring and slightly confused look.
“I've already set in the coordinates for the portal. We are over the Sea of Simulation now,” Gem said after a moment, “We will be arriving shortly.” The Siren stood, summoning a few more Black Guards to the room, instructing them to carry out the still unconscious, red circuited program, dragging her out of the room to who knows where.
Sam couldn't really bring himself to think about it, let alone ask.
____________________________________________
The small, rectangular device hadn't wrung since that first time, didn't even vibrate, and Quorra found herself fully relieved at the fact. She even managed to get back to being engrossed in her book, when she wasn't checking the timer on the desk.
Her eyes darted back down to the timer on the flat tabletop, leaning slightly over her book to check the remaining time.
You're running out of time Sam, she thought to herself, starting to become a little worried.
_____________________________________________
Alan was at Sam's new apartment, the only sound on the other side of the door being Marvin's nails on the hard surface floor. He'd left the office a little while ago and had already checked most of the usual places Sam might be. If he's not at any of those, I can't get a hold of his room mate Quorra, then I have a feeling that only leaves one real place left to check, he thought calmly to himself, making his way back to his car, that old arcade.
And so, he made his way down to the more abandoned part of the city, pulling up next to the curb outside of the old arcade doors, putting the car in park, cutting the engine, and stepping out, walking over to the old, familiar entrance.
He could almost see the crowds that used to fill the place.
_______________________________________________
Tron finally lifted his head, a little reluctantly, eyes glancing over at the Siren with slight suspicion, but keeping quiet, eyes returning to the User after a moment. The intricate circuits were starting to fade back into his skin, hidden from the rest of the Grid. It made him feel a twinge of regret in his own circuits, knowing he'd more than likely never see them again, eyes closing slightly at the thought, but trying to commit each and every line to memory.
Sam couldn't bring himself to look up, even though he could feel his cheeks lighting up slightly at the attention he knew was on his face. He was reluctant to move, somehow didn't want to break whatever moment they were currently in. Things felt different between them now, somehow, and moving meant that would become reality, and he just didn't know what to do past that. But, he did get up after a few moments, releasing his grip on the program behind him and starting to sit up, Tron's fingers ghosting over his suit as they released their hold on him, allowing the motion.
Tron watched as Sam gradually made his way to his feet, form slightly hunched, exhausted looking, and he soon followed suit.
The portal light was growing closer, illuminating the room through the large, main window. Sam couldn't say anything, not even the fact that he noticed that the room's lights had gone out. Probably happened when.. he trailed off in thought, color tinting his cheeks lightly.
Things were definitely different between them now, made the air around them heavy, filled with the words that neither of them was willing to say.
I basically..just had sex with Tron, didn't I.. he thought again, forcing his eyes to stay on the portal ahead, Tron. Of all people. ..programs. Whatever. Tron. What am I supposed to say to that? What am I supposed to do? I can't even look at him now without thinking about- He cut his own trail of thought off, facing heating up a bit more. His eyes glanced over at the program quickly, a little surprised to find him staring off at the portal, but not shocked. He probably wants me to leave as soon as possible now that things feel so damn awkward.. Not that I really blame him..he trailed off in thought, eyes finding their way to the floor before returning to the program next to him, widening a little in surprise to find blue-gray eyes staring back at him now, something distant in his look, something-
“We've arrived,” the Siren's voice cut off his thoughts, drawing both of their attention to the program in white, and Sam somehow couldn't help feeling slightly relieved, “follow me.”
Sam hesitated briefly but did follow, Tron eventually following suit, eyes glancing over at the sea of light filling the large window before returning to the circuitry on Sam's back ahead of him.
____________________________________________
The walk to the portal itself seemed to happen all too fast, but somehow still so slow. The remaining, on board Sentries and Black Guard let them pass at Gem's command, more like the flick of her fingers, his mind corrected a little sarcastically. She still had Zuse's cane, something he was sure he'd be glad not to see anymore once he was back in his own world. Away from the Grid.. his mind trailed off, shivering faintly at the memory of Tron's breath near his ear, the sound of it, his face heating up once more. He still couldn't look at him, especially not directly in the eye, he just..couldn't. He wasn't really sure what to make of what had happened between the two of them. Not the time to think about it, he thought to himself, forcing his attention back to the task at hand.
They reached the portal soon enough. He hadn't looked or talked to Tron during the entire way there, but could feel the program behind him, keeping a slight distance but always staying close, in case of some unexpected attack, Sam presumed. Surprisingly, or maybe unsurprisingly, Loreza was waiting at the entrance for them, stoic expression in place. So it was her, Sam concluded, raising an eyebrow at her small, amused smile as he passed the Siren, still not sure what to make of the program.
Tron's thought process was in chaos the whole walk there, yet somehow a complete blank, filled with Sam's breath, voice, touch, energy, yet completely blank with what to do about it. He didn't know what to do, about any of it, what happened between them, everything that lead up to them getting on Zuse and Gem's headquarters, and now Sam leaving the Grid again, except this time here was here for it. And suddenly, it seemed, they were on the narrow pathway connecting to the portal, beam of light radiating a few feet in front of them, and it was all just happening too fast for him. As fast as he knew his processing was, he felt like he didn't have near enough time to think about any of it.
Gem had stopped next to Loreza once they'd reached her, giving the other Siren a brief nod of acknowledgment and a small, knowing smile as they watched whatever was about to come to pass, well, come to pass.
Tron wasn't sure if he should be so close to the portal, but he couldn't stop himself from following the User, didn't want to leave his orbit, didn't really want him to go, even though that had been his main task since the User arrived in the Game Arena. Too long had the Grid lacked the guiding presence of a User, and he'd grown used to having Sam nearby in their short time together, like he'd once been used to having Flynn nearby with his constant visits to the Grid, albeit this was a little a different.
“Sam,” Tron let out without even realizing it, surprised at his own actions.
Sam stopped at the sound of the now familiar voice saying his name, pausing in his tracks almost instantly. He fought to get here, the portal was just half a foot away, and yet that voice was the only real thing in his mind, subsiding the pressing urge to go back, to go home. He started walking again after a moment, stepping into the radiant waves of light. Sam retrieved the disc from his back, lifting it above his head with both hands and letting it gradually drift up into the pillar of light before finally turning around to look at the program.
He was surprised at what he saw.
Tron's expression was calm, determined, things Sam knew his own expression wasn't.
“You can come back,” the program said after a moment, voice certain.
Sam's eyes glanced down and off to the side, unsure of what to think about the option, what to do. But should I come back? he thought to himself, expression turning a little confused.
He'd been so lost in thought, he didn't see the Siren running towards him, neither of them did, left over light cane in hand.
It all happened so fast after that. Eyes widening, slender frame toppling his own, Tron's eyes filled with shock, surprise.
And then everything went white.
___________________________________________
Alan had searched the building, checked the back rooms, the old office upstairs, eyes finally coming to a stop on the old Tron game to his left. It was the only game without a cover, so he went over to investigate, maybe even play it a little while he was here.
..Maybe some other time, he thought to himself, a light, reminiscent smile crossing his face. The older programmer turned to make his way down the hall to the door, but a muffled shout caught his attention, stopped him dead in his tracks and made him turn around. He stared at the old game a little more closely, walking back over to it after a moment, leaning down and around to check it over more thoroughly.
Then he heard it again.
Alan stood back up abruptly, eyes glancing at the sides of the game before gripping them firmly with both hands, pushing experimentally to the left before trying the right.
It moved.
He pushed the game to the side as far as it would go, taking a few steps back once he was finished to find a door behind it, expression filled with surprise. Alan walked over to the old looking door after giving it a brief look over, reaching out with a hand and turning the handle, half expecting it to be locked.
But it wasn't.
A dark hallway lay in wait behind it, almost inviting. ..What were you doing in here, Flynn? he thought to himself, curiosity taking it's toll as he carefully began making his way down into the dark passage, unsure of what he would find at the end.
(You'll have to copy/paste the links):
http://shaishda.livejournal.com/3177.html Traitorous [ Ch. 9 ] | http://shaishda.livejournal.com/4603.html Users [ Ch. 11 ]
Fandom: Tron: Legacy
Characters/Pairing: Sam/Tron (eventually), Zuse, Gem, OCs (Roznal, Kex)
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters/world/etc. I'm just borrowing them.
Summary: Sam needs to release excess energy, head to the portal, Alan looks for Sam in the old arcade.
First time writing circuitry fondling. You've been warned. For both reasons.
Chapter 10
Return
“Sam!”
He couldn't see anything, but he could hear something-
“SAM!”
Louder. Familiar. Like a dream he couldn't quite remember, couldn't quite put his finger on.
“Sam, can you hear me?”
His eyes shot open, sitting up suddenly, and somehow he forgot how to breathe.
There were hands immediately on his shoulders, trying to push him back down, but he didn't want to go back down, back into the dark, back into the silence. It was like an abyss he couldn't get out of, couldn't walk, couldn't run, jump, swim, nothing could make him move there. All he could do was be still, and for some reason his father's voice found its way into his head.
“You're messing with my Zen thing, man.”
“You're messing with my Zen thing,” his mouth let out, seemingly of its own accord, the hands on his shoulders pausing, tightening their grip, and finally he remembered how to breathe, hell, how to blink for that matter. He glanced over to his left, a strangely familiar face coming into view. “Tron..” he said quietly, distantly, blinking back at the program's intense but somehow blank stare, “Did I..just say that out loud?” Sam's expression turned a little confused, a little embarrassed, disbelieving. And he wasn't sure why, but Tron just smiled after a moment.
For some reason, Sam forgot how to breathe again.
Before he knew it, the program was pulling him close, arms wrapping around the back of his shoulders, holding him just a little too tight than was humanly possible. “Tron..?” he asked after a moment, face heating up, “Is something wrong?”
“You're alright,” he heard quietly next to his ear, expression turning confused as he tried to remember why he wouldn't be alright.
“Yeah, why wouldn't I-” he started, but cut off as the memories came rushing back, filling in some of the gaps. Sam reached up after a moment, gripping the programs' upper arms and trying to force him back a little, expression urgent. “What happened to Zuse and Gem?”
Tron didn't seem to want to put any distance between them, but he did, reluctantly sitting back after a moment and shifting his hands to rest back on the Users' shoulders, unsure if he should actually be sitting up on his own so soon. “Roznal and Kex derezzed Zuse with Gem's aid. Kex turned on Gem and ended up getting derezzed by her in the process,” Tron answered, “She gave me the fragment, which I merged with your disc. You weren't moving, Sam, your circuits were completely off. I couldn't..” he trailed off, eyes finding their way to the ground, “..but it worked,” he finished, eyes eventually shifting over to the Siren off to his right.
Sam followed his line of sight after a moment, glancing at the program in white before his eyes returned to Tron, trying to absorb his words.
Then the pain hit.
Sam winced sharply before he could say anything, turning in on himself as a hand released the program, wrapping around his waist futilely, drawing his knees a little towards his chest as he hunched over, head hanging. “Ahhhn-” he let out, voice strained, the hand still on Tron gripping his arm tightly.
“Sam-” Tron said almost immediately, worry flooding his face and filling his voice, moving closer to the User and gripping his shoulders firmly, “What is it?”
“..Shar..sharp pain..Augh- I feel like I got hit in the stomach with a wrecking ball-” he struggled to get out.
Gem returned to her previous position at Tron's side then, kneeling down close to the two. “Energy build up,” she said calmly after a moment, “The Creator's disc has more energy than his system is currently capable of holding.” She moved after a moment, shifting to kneel down behind Sam, reaching up shortly to the top of his shoulder blades, pressing her fingertips to his overheated and bright circuits, sliding them firmly down to his lower back, Tron's eyes watching her intently.
Sam jerked, head lifting a bit as he let out a strangled sound at the sudden, overwhelming wave of pleasure rippling through his circuits, face flushing lightly. One of his legs shifted to the ground, his hand still gripping the security program's arm tightly. What-what the hell.. he tried to think, which was becoming increasingly hard.
Tron sat up quickly, a hand releasing one of Sam's shoulders and darting over to the Siren, grabbing one of her wrists firmly. “What are you doing?” he demanded, watching the female program intently.
“This is the quickest possible way to release the extra energy,” Gem replied calmly, “he cannot contain it and we are running out of time. Would you rather do it?” she finished, angling her head up slightly at the other program.
Tron's face lit up, eyes widening before darting down to the side at the question, then finally making their way back up to Sam's face, brow drawing together. He released the Siren's wrist after a moment, also releasing the User's other shoulder before prying Sam's grip from his arm, the Siren moving out of the way as Tron shifted into position behind him. “I'm sorry,” he said a little quietly next to his ear, hands moving down to the User's sides and gripping firmly, pulling him up and back gently so that Sam's back is resting against his front, sitting back on his knees to support his weight.
“What are..” Sam tried, unable to form a full sentence. His mind was foggy, fuzzy at the edges with the excess energy and brief moment of pleasure, and his body just felt too hot, like he had a fever. His circuits were glowing too bright, at least that much he knew.
Tron wrapped an arm around the User, just below his chest, tensing his body a bit to brace for sudden movements before he reached down with a hand, hesitating for a moment before pressing a couple fingertips to the circular circuitry near Sam's hip, tracing over it firmly but slowly, Sam's circuits flaring in response.
The User jerked at the wave of pleasure that shot up through him at the touch, letting out a heavy gasp while shifting his other leg down to sit up onto his knees, back arching, trying to press up further into the touch. The back of his head moved up slightly to rest on Tron's shoulder, leaning it back. One of his arms moved up on the same side as the one the program had wrapped around him, gripping the back of his hand in his own while his free hand found its way to Tron's thigh, needing to grip something, fingers straining over the rough, black material of the program's suit. “What are you..what is-” he tried to get out between panting breaths, nails dragging against Tron's suit, other fingertips running over the circuits on his hand firmly.
Tron let out a low gasp of his own next to Sam's ear as his circuits briefly flared, a wave of pleasure shooting through his own body at the touch, closing his mouth firmly for a moment as he pressed his fingertips to one of the long lines of circuitry running down the side of the front of the Users' suit, tracing the length of it up from his hip to just below his collarbone, earning him another, louder moan from the subject of his attention and another increase in the glow of the white lights on Sam's suit. “Trying to release..your excess energy. There's too much-” he was cut off, Sam's hand pixelating the part of the suit beneath his touch, revealing violet circuitry laced over his thigh, the Users' fingertips and dull fingernails raking over it, the circuits glowing at the stimulation and sending a stronger wave of energy through the circuitry under his suit. Tron let out a low moan of his own near Sam's ear, grip tightening around him reflexively.
Sam almost couldn't stand it anymore, the energy was building up so quickly, everything was so hot, his own body, the one behind him that was supporting his own, the circuits underneath his hand and his fingers, his own circuits. It was all becoming too much, and he felt like he was about to overload-
Tron's fingers dragged firmly up the line of circuitry in the middle of his chest, and Sam's back went sharply taut, and he finally did overload, letting out a loud moan near the program's ear as he gripped Tron's thigh, his circuits flaring in a blinding white light, taking his mind with it.
He wasn't even aware that he called out Tron's name.
The released energy shot straight through him where Sam's hand was tightly gripped on his thigh, running through the violet circuitry beneath his suit and overloading his own circuits. Tron let out a moan of his own next to Sam's ear in the form of the Users' name, returning the call while gripping him tightly as his own circuits flared brightly, bound to leave bruises after the ordeal, his thoughts whiting out with the intense energy release.
_________________________________________________
They stayed still for the longest time, Sam's back finally relaxing out of its strained position, resting back limply against the program behind him who was hunched over slightly, formed perfectly to the bow of Sam's exhausted body, their circuits seeming to pulsate in a unison rhythm until gradually evening out into a steady, calm glow.
All Sam could hear for the longest time were breaths, his own drowned out by the blood rushing in his ears, Tron's breathing next to his ear, and for a while he didn't seem to mind. Couldn't bring himself to do anything but listen, soak it in, even find it increasingly relaxing. He couldn't move immediately anyway, even if he wanted to.
The new, intricate white designs were revealed on his suit, on his skin, matching the new ones on his disc and splayed out for the program to see. Beautiful..he couldn't help thinking, half lidded blue-gray eyes tracing over the patterns idly as he held the User in his arms, grip lessened but still firmly in place. And they were beautiful, but he found he couldn't stop staring at the ones on Sam's face, imprinted up and over his closed eyelids, running into his hairline and lined down across the side of his face, trailing down his neck and disappearing into the top of his suit. He'd never seen anything like it, was sure he never would again.
“You two sure are a sight to see,” came a familiar voice, one they'd both forgotten was even in the room.
Tron didn't have to look to know that she had an amused smirk quirking up the corner of her lips.
Sam didn't move, but his eyelids finally started to open, eyes glancing over at the Siren half lidded, giving her a tiring and slightly confused look.
“I've already set in the coordinates for the portal. We are over the Sea of Simulation now,” Gem said after a moment, “We will be arriving shortly.” The Siren stood, summoning a few more Black Guards to the room, instructing them to carry out the still unconscious, red circuited program, dragging her out of the room to who knows where.
Sam couldn't really bring himself to think about it, let alone ask.
____________________________________________
The small, rectangular device hadn't wrung since that first time, didn't even vibrate, and Quorra found herself fully relieved at the fact. She even managed to get back to being engrossed in her book, when she wasn't checking the timer on the desk.
Her eyes darted back down to the timer on the flat tabletop, leaning slightly over her book to check the remaining time.
You're running out of time Sam, she thought to herself, starting to become a little worried.
_____________________________________________
Alan was at Sam's new apartment, the only sound on the other side of the door being Marvin's nails on the hard surface floor. He'd left the office a little while ago and had already checked most of the usual places Sam might be. If he's not at any of those, I can't get a hold of his room mate Quorra, then I have a feeling that only leaves one real place left to check, he thought calmly to himself, making his way back to his car, that old arcade.
And so, he made his way down to the more abandoned part of the city, pulling up next to the curb outside of the old arcade doors, putting the car in park, cutting the engine, and stepping out, walking over to the old, familiar entrance.
He could almost see the crowds that used to fill the place.
_______________________________________________
Tron finally lifted his head, a little reluctantly, eyes glancing over at the Siren with slight suspicion, but keeping quiet, eyes returning to the User after a moment. The intricate circuits were starting to fade back into his skin, hidden from the rest of the Grid. It made him feel a twinge of regret in his own circuits, knowing he'd more than likely never see them again, eyes closing slightly at the thought, but trying to commit each and every line to memory.
Sam couldn't bring himself to look up, even though he could feel his cheeks lighting up slightly at the attention he knew was on his face. He was reluctant to move, somehow didn't want to break whatever moment they were currently in. Things felt different between them now, somehow, and moving meant that would become reality, and he just didn't know what to do past that. But, he did get up after a few moments, releasing his grip on the program behind him and starting to sit up, Tron's fingers ghosting over his suit as they released their hold on him, allowing the motion.
Tron watched as Sam gradually made his way to his feet, form slightly hunched, exhausted looking, and he soon followed suit.
The portal light was growing closer, illuminating the room through the large, main window. Sam couldn't say anything, not even the fact that he noticed that the room's lights had gone out. Probably happened when.. he trailed off in thought, color tinting his cheeks lightly.
Things were definitely different between them now, made the air around them heavy, filled with the words that neither of them was willing to say.
I basically..just had sex with Tron, didn't I.. he thought again, forcing his eyes to stay on the portal ahead, Tron. Of all people. ..programs. Whatever. Tron. What am I supposed to say to that? What am I supposed to do? I can't even look at him now without thinking about- He cut his own trail of thought off, facing heating up a bit more. His eyes glanced over at the program quickly, a little surprised to find him staring off at the portal, but not shocked. He probably wants me to leave as soon as possible now that things feel so damn awkward.. Not that I really blame him..he trailed off in thought, eyes finding their way to the floor before returning to the program next to him, widening a little in surprise to find blue-gray eyes staring back at him now, something distant in his look, something-
“We've arrived,” the Siren's voice cut off his thoughts, drawing both of their attention to the program in white, and Sam somehow couldn't help feeling slightly relieved, “follow me.”
Sam hesitated briefly but did follow, Tron eventually following suit, eyes glancing over at the sea of light filling the large window before returning to the circuitry on Sam's back ahead of him.
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The walk to the portal itself seemed to happen all too fast, but somehow still so slow. The remaining, on board Sentries and Black Guard let them pass at Gem's command, more like the flick of her fingers, his mind corrected a little sarcastically. She still had Zuse's cane, something he was sure he'd be glad not to see anymore once he was back in his own world. Away from the Grid.. his mind trailed off, shivering faintly at the memory of Tron's breath near his ear, the sound of it, his face heating up once more. He still couldn't look at him, especially not directly in the eye, he just..couldn't. He wasn't really sure what to make of what had happened between the two of them. Not the time to think about it, he thought to himself, forcing his attention back to the task at hand.
They reached the portal soon enough. He hadn't looked or talked to Tron during the entire way there, but could feel the program behind him, keeping a slight distance but always staying close, in case of some unexpected attack, Sam presumed. Surprisingly, or maybe unsurprisingly, Loreza was waiting at the entrance for them, stoic expression in place. So it was her, Sam concluded, raising an eyebrow at her small, amused smile as he passed the Siren, still not sure what to make of the program.
Tron's thought process was in chaos the whole walk there, yet somehow a complete blank, filled with Sam's breath, voice, touch, energy, yet completely blank with what to do about it. He didn't know what to do, about any of it, what happened between them, everything that lead up to them getting on Zuse and Gem's headquarters, and now Sam leaving the Grid again, except this time here was here for it. And suddenly, it seemed, they were on the narrow pathway connecting to the portal, beam of light radiating a few feet in front of them, and it was all just happening too fast for him. As fast as he knew his processing was, he felt like he didn't have near enough time to think about any of it.
Gem had stopped next to Loreza once they'd reached her, giving the other Siren a brief nod of acknowledgment and a small, knowing smile as they watched whatever was about to come to pass, well, come to pass.
Tron wasn't sure if he should be so close to the portal, but he couldn't stop himself from following the User, didn't want to leave his orbit, didn't really want him to go, even though that had been his main task since the User arrived in the Game Arena. Too long had the Grid lacked the guiding presence of a User, and he'd grown used to having Sam nearby in their short time together, like he'd once been used to having Flynn nearby with his constant visits to the Grid, albeit this was a little a different.
“Sam,” Tron let out without even realizing it, surprised at his own actions.
Sam stopped at the sound of the now familiar voice saying his name, pausing in his tracks almost instantly. He fought to get here, the portal was just half a foot away, and yet that voice was the only real thing in his mind, subsiding the pressing urge to go back, to go home. He started walking again after a moment, stepping into the radiant waves of light. Sam retrieved the disc from his back, lifting it above his head with both hands and letting it gradually drift up into the pillar of light before finally turning around to look at the program.
He was surprised at what he saw.
Tron's expression was calm, determined, things Sam knew his own expression wasn't.
“You can come back,” the program said after a moment, voice certain.
Sam's eyes glanced down and off to the side, unsure of what to think about the option, what to do. But should I come back? he thought to himself, expression turning a little confused.
He'd been so lost in thought, he didn't see the Siren running towards him, neither of them did, left over light cane in hand.
It all happened so fast after that. Eyes widening, slender frame toppling his own, Tron's eyes filled with shock, surprise.
And then everything went white.
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Alan had searched the building, checked the back rooms, the old office upstairs, eyes finally coming to a stop on the old Tron game to his left. It was the only game without a cover, so he went over to investigate, maybe even play it a little while he was here.
..Maybe some other time, he thought to himself, a light, reminiscent smile crossing his face. The older programmer turned to make his way down the hall to the door, but a muffled shout caught his attention, stopped him dead in his tracks and made him turn around. He stared at the old game a little more closely, walking back over to it after a moment, leaning down and around to check it over more thoroughly.
Then he heard it again.
Alan stood back up abruptly, eyes glancing at the sides of the game before gripping them firmly with both hands, pushing experimentally to the left before trying the right.
It moved.
He pushed the game to the side as far as it would go, taking a few steps back once he was finished to find a door behind it, expression filled with surprise. Alan walked over to the old looking door after giving it a brief look over, reaching out with a hand and turning the handle, half expecting it to be locked.
But it wasn't.
A dark hallway lay in wait behind it, almost inviting. ..What were you doing in here, Flynn? he thought to himself, curiosity taking it's toll as he carefully began making his way down into the dark passage, unsure of what he would find at the end.
(You'll have to copy/paste the links):
http://shaishda.livejournal.com/3177.html Traitorous [ Ch. 9 ] | http://shaishda.livejournal.com/4603.html Users [ Ch. 11 ]